Aino Pervik


Aino Pervik was an Estonian children's writer and translator. Pervik was considered "the bravest children's writer" in Estonia, as she took on themes of immigration, cultural conflict, corruption, and the loss of cultural identity. Some of her more than 60 children's books were reprinted and translated into many languages. She also wrote novellas and poetry, and translated literature from Hungarian.

Life and career

Pervik was born in Rakvere on 22 April 1932. She attended school first in Järvakandi from 1939, then in Tallinn at a teachers seminary from 1946 to 1950. She studied Finno-Ugric philology at the Tartu State University from 1950, graduating in 1955.
Pervik lived in Tallinn from 1955. She worked as an editor of children's and young-adult literature for the Estonian State Publishing House, and from 1960 as editor of programs for young people for Eesti Televisioon. She published her first children's book, Kersti sõber Miina, in 1961. From 1967, she was a freelance writer and translator from Hungarian, translating books by, Éva Janikovszky, Iván Mándy and Kálmán Mikszáth. She joined the Estonian Writers' Union in 1974. Her books were translated into many languages. She also wrote novellas and poetry.
Pervik received the Juhan Smuul literary award in 1976, the Friedebert Tuglas short story award in 1983 and the annual award of the Estonian Writers' Union in 2012, among many awards.

Personal life

Pervik married writer Eno Raud in 1961; they had three children: scholar and writer Rein Raud, musician and writer Mihkel Raud and children's writer and illustrator Piret Raud. Her husband died in 1996.
Pervik died on 12 August 2025, at the age of 93.

Work

Pervik wrote more than 60 children's books; some of them were translated, into 12 languages, and were adapted for stage and film. Her topics include preservation of ecological balance, clashes of different cultures, finding of identity, war and freedom. In her children's books, she combined fairy-tale and fantasy elements with realistic everyday life, with an aim of didacticism. Among her best-known books are Kunksmoor, Arabella, the Pirate's daughter, and Dear mr Q.

Books

The Kite Spreads Friendship. 2021NummiPealt ja mujalt, Tänapäev 2018Sinivant joonistab, Tammerraamat 2017Hädaoru kuningas, Tänapäev 2016Sinivant kuulab unejuttu, Tammerraamat 2016Jääpurikas, murelik piim ja teised tüübid, Tänapäev 2015Tähenärija ja Kriksadull, Tänapäev 2015Härra Tee ja proua Kohv, Tänapäev 2014Sinivant läheb lasteaeda, Tammerraamat 2014Jänes keedab suppi, Päike ja Pilv 2013Väike valge pilvelammas, kes läks läbi vikerkaare, Päike ja Pilv 2013Kirjatähtede keerukas elu, Tänapäev 2012Klabautermanni mure, Tänapäev 2012Rändav kassiemme, Tammerraamat 2012Kersti sõber Miina, Tallinn: Kirjastus Tirtiamm, 1961.

''Tirilinn'' series

Aiapidu roosiaias, Tammerraamat 2009Krokodill, Tammerraamat 2009Kui sa näed korstnapühkijat, Tammerraamat 2009Tirilinnas algab kool, Tammerraamat 2009Piknik Ristineemel, Tammerraamat 2010Jüri soolaleivapidu, Tammerraamat 2011Isegi Max ei usu enam, Tammerraamat 2012Ühes väikses veidras linnas, Tänapäev 2009Presidendilood, Tänapäev 2008, rev. ed. 2013Suleline, Puhuja ja must munk, Tänapäev 2007Dixi ja Xixi, Ilo 2005Draakonid võõrsil, Tiritamm 2002Mammutilaps ajab tuult taga, Avita 2002

''Paula's Life'' series

Paula lõpetab lasteaia, Tiritamm 2001, 2007, 2020Paula läheb linna elama, Tiritamm 2001, 2007, 2020Paula esimene koolipäev, Tiritamm 2001, 2007, 2021Paula ja Joosep, Tiritamm 2001, 2020Paula ja õuelapsed, Tiritamm 2002, 2020Paula õpib emakeelt, illustrated by Piret Raud. Tiritamm 2003, 2009Paula ja Patrik, Tiritamm 2002, 2021Paula aabits, illustrated by Piret Raud. Tallinn: Kirjastus Tiritamm, 2007.Maailm Sulelise ja Karvasega, Varrak 2000Kallis härra Q '', Kupar 1992, illustrated by Edgar Valter; Avita 2004, Tänapäev, 2016Sookoll ja sisalik, Eesti Raamat 1986, Tiritamm 2004Arabella, mereröövli tütar, Eesti Raamat 1982 2008, Tänapäev 2011Kunksmoor ja kapten Trumm, Eesti Raamat 1975, Tammerraamat 2011Kunksmoor, Eesti Raamat 1973, Tammerraamat 2012Kaarist on kasu, Eesti Raamat 1971, 1972, TEA Kirjastus 2010

Awards

Awards for Pervik's books include:

Translations

Many of Pervik's books have been translated, including:Arabella, the Pirate’s Daughter
  • * Russian: Арабелла – дочь пирата, Vene Entsüklopeedia 2001, Tänapäev 2011
  • * Finnish: Arabella, merirosvon tytär, WSOY 1987
  • * English: Arabella, the Pirate’s Daughter, Perioodika 1985, new translation Tänapäev 2011
  • * German: Arabella die Piratentochter, Perioodika 1985; German: Leiv 2012
  • * Vietnamese: Arabenla con gái tên cướp biển, 1987Bog Bogey and Lizard, English, Perioodika 1988Old Mother Kunks
  • * Latvian: Burmemme, 2022
  • * Azerbaijani: Гянджлик 1982
  • * German: Die Kunksmuhme, LeiV 2079
  • * Russian: Баба-Мора, Eesti Raamat 1977, 1982
  • * Finnish: Konkkamuori, WSOY 1975Old Mother Kunks and Captain Trumm
  • * German: Die Kunksmuhme, LeiV 2012
  • * Russian: Баба-Мора и капитан Трумм, Eesti Raamat 1983
  • * Finnish: Konkkamuori ja kapteeni Trummi, WSOY 1978Paula and Patrik, Lithuanian: Paula ir Patrikas, Nieko rimto 2008Paula and Patrik + Paula and the Neighborhood Kids + Paula Goes to the Store + Paula Goes on a Picnic + Paula is Taken to the Hospital', Russian: Паула: продолжение, Aleksandra 2013Paula Finishes Kindergarten
  • * Lithuanian: Paula baigia vaikų darželį, Nieko rimto 2008
  • * Russian: Паула: выпускной в детскoм садy, Aleksandra 2007Paula Moves to the City + Paula and Joosep + Paula’s First Day of School + Paula’s Christmas, Russian: Паула, Aleksandra 2011Stories of a President
  • * Latvian: Prezidents, Liels un mazs 2015
  • * Russian: Как работать президентом, КПД 2013
  • * Bulgarian: Приключенията на президента, Gaiana 2009The Balloon
  • * Latvian: Gaisa baloninš, Liesma 1972
  • * Lithuanian: Balionėlis, Vagos 1972The Wandering Cat, Italian: La gatta vagabonda, Sinnos 2014The World with Feathered and Furry, Russian: Мир с Пернатой и Мохнатым, Vene Entsüklopeedia 2004